Comments on: WND Picks up on David Duke / Ted Pike / Peter LaBarbera’s Justification of Homophobic Violencehttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974
News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoricTue, 31 Mar 2015 20:32:19 +0000hourly1By: Chasehttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-11479
Fri, 30 May 2008 00:30:18 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-11479This might be one of the most ridiculous cases I have ever heard of.
]]>By: PMWhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-10716
Tue, 13 May 2008 16:22:07 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-10716I just love the picture of the “clean cut, all american looking young man.” He looks like the stereotypical, jock a-hole that tormented many effeminate school mates of mine when I was in school. I also like that fact that his mother wants to use the conservative christian stance as a get out of jail free card. My son is a Christian, he is allowed to do whatever he wants.
]]>By: Larryhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-10492
Fri, 09 May 2008 17:58:49 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-10492As demonstrated by his violence-prone behavior, Mr. VanAsdlen has probably not seen the last of the court system. People like this generally get into more trouble as time goes on – specifically domestic violence and other various and sundry charges related to his temper. Unless he gets some help, sooner or later incarceration is pretty much a certainty – in which case he better start stretching. Jail for young pretty boys generally turns out to be a real exercise in e l a s t i c i t y.
]]>By: PWhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-10487
Fri, 09 May 2008 16:33:34 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-10487What kind of conservative Christian goes around verbally insulting or physically harassing people for any reason? I would have to ask Ms. VanAsdlen exactly what she’s been teaching her son. Obviously she forgot the Christian ideals of ‘turn the other cheek’ and ‘treat others as you have them treat you’. And obviously the practical notion of ‘If you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all’ is not a part of the
conservative Christianity that she’s so quick to bring up.

As for the WND article…

1. The person involve was not a teen, he is an adult. 18 is the age of majority, thus the headline is a blatant example of spin.
2. The authorities do not charge people for pushing, they charge people for assault and/or battery.
3. Obviously the authorities do not see Mr. VanAsdlen as the victim of an assault, so obviously WND’s sources are biased regarding his role, alleged or otherwise.
4. Unless WND has proof that the police are under pressure regarding quotas on hate crimes, or has proof that these quotas actually exist, it should not be so quick to make this kind of inflammatory claim.
5. The notion that the assailant would not be facing serious charges and consequences if this incident had not involved homosexuals is patently false. Aggravated battery is a felony regardless of who the victim is. And furthermore, it is reasonable to assume any criminal charge, misdemeanor or felony, would have put Mr. VanAsdlen (or any other student athlete for that matter) under the review of the college’s athletic code of conduct.
6. How is it possible for a person who was knocked out to tell his friends to call the police? Care to explain that?
7. If WND can’t assure the accuracy of the account, why is it publishing any of these comments at all? What happened to journalistic integrity?
8. Can WND explain why this article does not mention the fact that aggravated battery is in itself a felony? Why the article instead spins the news to make it sound like the hate crime was the sole charge?
9. No, Ms. VanAsdlen, your son will not have to prove his innocence, he is innocent until proven guilty, the State will have to prove his guilt.
10. No, Ms. VanAsdlen, you are not being persecuted, your son has been charged with a crime, this is not about your religion.
11. No, Mr. Lovell, this is not a typical 18-year old, typical 18-year olds do not go around assaulting their peers.
12. No, Mr. LaBarbera, this is not fundamentally unfair, the charge is aggravated battery, the hate crime charge is not the sole charge regardless of how you attempt to spin this. And as for equal protection, since you are so quick to deny that to others, spare us of the notion that you actually believe in it yourself.

]]>By: Bruce Garretthttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-10448
Thu, 08 May 2008 21:08:22 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-10448I’m amazed at the blatant sense of entitlement that directs this story.

Yeah. I’ve been looking into that face for decades now and I have to say it still…amazes me. Consider it a measure of your inner character. What sort of person thinks they have every right to walk up to someone they don’t know from Adam and start hurling insults? Someone who thinks they’re more entitled to the ground they’re standing on, then the stranger is who. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’s face…every time they look in a mirror.

That sense of entitlement is the world bigots live in, whether they’re sexist or racist or whatever. That, and the always simmering resentment that other lesser beings are encroaching on their privileges. Thank about what a joke that makes their rhetoric about “special rights”, and try not to go to bed a little angrier every time you hear the phrase.

]]>By: Scotthttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-10446
Thu, 08 May 2008 20:35:44 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-10446I’m shocked, simply shocked that a far right Christian rag of a website would condone violence against gays. Wait, wait, oh no it would far more shocking if “Worldnutdaily” developed a sense of ethics, caring and compassion outside of their own group. Now that would be newsworthy. Unfortunately having this website side with violent, religious, homophobes is par for the course.
]]>By: queerunityhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-10435
Thu, 08 May 2008 18:30:54 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-10435This is frightening, they will go so far as to condone violence to remain anti-gay. Have they forgot everything Jesus stood for?
]]>By: GDadhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-10432
Thu, 08 May 2008 18:23:32 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-10432At some point, the “boys will be boys” defense must start failing. This is just absurd.
]]>By: Erica B.http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974/comment-page-1#comment-10431
Thu, 08 May 2008 18:21:24 +0000http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/05/08/1974#comment-10431Dear Mrs. VanAsdlen:

I’m opposed to your conservative Christian son beating people up whether they’re gay, straight, female, whatever. You bet your ass he’ll be mentioned in my prayers: that he gets the justice he so richly deserves.